Norcia, Umbria
The region of Umbria, in central Italy, offers excellent walking
in the green rolling foothills of the Appennines and a relaxing way of
life. Soon you'll be absorbed into this tranquil rural lifestyle of beautiful
scenery and excellent cuisine. Our guided walks in the Monte Sibillini National
Park include rambles through the stunning Piano Grande, a vast open plain
full of wild flowers, to the sleepy village of Castelluccio.
The enchanting walled town of Norcia, set in a green bowl below the
tranquil green Appennines, is surrounded by excellent walking country and retains
the charm and warm hospitality of another age. Appreciate rural Italian life
by wandering around the narrow cobbled streets to explore the medieval buildings
and churches.
- Historic hotel in the walled town
of Norcia with an award-winning restaurant
- Walk in the green rolling foothills of the Appennines
- Two-centre option with Rome City Break
Detailed information
| Classic Walking programme details |
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On these holidays there is a choice of two guided walks of varying difficulty each day.
ITINERARY
Day 1: arrival day |
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Day 2: head south from Norcia into the wide Santa
Scholastica Valley and the typical Umbrian villages of
San Pellegrino or Ospedaletto.
Day 3: wander through acres of wild flowers on a
walk across Piano Grande, a vast open plain set in a
bowl of green hills and mountains, towards the picturesque
hilltop village of Castelluccio.
Day 4: return to the Southern Sibillini hills for
beautiful walks to the village of Forca Canapine.
Day 5: free day - options could include visits to
Assisi, the birthplace of St Francis, or the
lesser-known, but equally beautiful, walled town of
Spoleto.
Day 6: enjoy part of the Grand Anello dei Sibillini trail
that traverses along the hillsides of the Sibillini National
Park, possibly via the summit of Monte Patino.
Day 7: shady walks lead along the Castoriana Valley
past peaceful hamlets to the Abbey of San Eutizio and
the historic walled village of Preci.
Day 8: departure day |
Please Note: The above programme should give you a good feel for the walks at this resort but is subject to change. Each year we listen carefully to the views of our guests and make improvements to our walking programmes. Further information will be sent to you prior to your holiday; however the final selection of walks will be made by your walking leaders. Local Transport to and from walks
Local transport is not included in the cost of your holiday.
Please allow €70 (approx £56) per week, excluding your
free day.
Maps
Your leaders will of course carry all the necessary maps.
However if you would like one for your own personal enjoyment
then the best map of the area is the 1:25,000 'Monte Siblini'.
Maps are available from The Map Shop. Tel:+44 (0) 1684 593146 or
from local shops in Norcia.
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| Footpath information |
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Easier Walks: 6 to 7 miles on well-graded tracks and paths. 500ft to 1,100ft of ascent in a day. |
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Harder Walks: 8½ to 11½ miles with some steeper gradients and rougher terrain. 800ft to 2,100ft of ascent in a day.
On the weeks of 27 June & 19 Sept the Harder Walks will
be replaced with more challenging mountain walks - see below for details. |
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| Dates and prices |
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| Sat 25 April 2009 |
£725 |
£525 |
| Sat 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 May 2009 |
£725 |
£525 |
| Sat 6, 13, 20, 27* June 2009 |
£725 |
£525 |
| Sat 5, 12, 19*, 26 Sept 2009 |
£725 |
£525 |
| Sat 3, 10 Oct 2009 |
£725 |
£525 |
*On the weeks of 27 June & 19 Sept the Harder Walks will
be replaced with more challenging mountain walks - see below for details.
Single room supplement: £10 per night
Hotel Salicone Supplement: £10 per person per night
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| Average temperatures |
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| April |
18°C |
8°C |
| May |
22°C |
10°C |
| June |
26°C |
13°C |
| September |
25°C |
13°C |
| October |
19°C |
9°C |
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| Travel to resort |
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Transfer from airport - If you book this holiday 'with flight' you will arrive at Rome airport. The onward journey to Norcia by coach takes approximately
2hrs 30mins.
Latest HF Holidays Flight Information - updated 23/10/2008 (provisional)
British Airways
Heathrow - Rome
Out 07:40 - 10:30
Return 11:50 - 13:35
Jet2
Manchester - Rome
Out 06:50 - 10:35
Return 11:40 - 13:40
Manchester flight supplement: on request.
Airport Parking: To book secure airport parking throughout the UK visit Purple Parking or Holiday Extras to book on-line.
Airport Hotels: To book airport hotels throughout the UK visit Holiday Extras to book on-line.
Airport Lounges: To book airport lounges visit Holiday Extras to book on-line.
Making your own travel arrangements
Flights to Rome Leonardo Da Vinci Airport: This is Rome's principle airport (also known as Fiumicino).
www.ba.com flights from Gatwick, Heathrow, Birmingham & Manchester.
www.alitalia.com flights from Heathrow.
www.jet2.com flights from Manchester & Leeds Bradford.
www.bmibaby.com flights from Birmingham.
• The easiest option is to join the HF Holidays' transfer (supplement £25 single). Please contact our Reservations Dept to book your place. If you are using this transfer please meet your Leader in the arrivals hall of Terminal C.
• Alternatively take a direct train to Rome's main Termini station by train (every 30 minutes, cost €9.50 single). From Termini station you should catch a train to Spoleto, and from here a bus to Norcia (see below).
Flights to Rome Ciampino Airport: Rome's second airport is used by the low-cost airlines and charter flights:
www.easyjet.com flights from Belfast, Bristol, East Midlands, Gatwick & Newcastle.
www.ryanair.com flights from East Midlands, Glasgow Prestwick, Liverpool, Luton, Stansted, Shannon & Dublin.
• One option is to cross the city to Leonardo da Vinci Airport to meet the HF Holidays' coach transfer. There are a variety of ways of doing this - the options are explained at www.adr.it. Please contact our Reservations Dept to book your place on the coach to Norica and to find out the latest times.
• Alternatively take the 'Terravision' shuttle bus to Termini station. These run at regular intervals throughout the day cost €8 single - see www.terravision.it. From Termini station you should catch a train to Spoleto, and from here a bus to Norcia (see below).
By Train to Spoleto: There is a good train service between Rome's Termini station and Spoleto, the nearest station to Norcia. Train run approximately hourly with the journey taking between 1hr 15mins and 1hr 40mins. Most trains are direct, through it may be necessary to change at Orte. For train times and further information visit the Italian railways website: www.trenitalia.com, click English on the top line.
Buses from Spoleto to Norcia: Buses run approximately 6 times a day between Spoleto station and Norcia. The buses take about 55 minutes for this journey, with the last one currently at 20:00 - for information e-mail spoletina@spoletina.com or visit www.spoletina.com. Alight just outside the town walls at the Porta Romana, from where it is a 175 metre walk to the hotel. If you are arriving too late for the last bus itis possible to travel from Spoleto to Norcia by taxi - contact the hotel who will be able to assist you.
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| What the holiday includes |
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- Return economy class air travel - 'with flight' option.
- Airport transfers - 'with flight' option.
- 7 nights' accommodation in en-suite rooms.
- Half Board - Breakfast & evening meals
- Services of two HF Holidays' leaders.
- 5 guided walks.
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| Other walking holiday ideas |
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Mountain Walking
This special weeks offers more challenging walks in the impressive Sibillini mountains. Each day there will be the choice of the regular Easier Walk plus a high level option which may include routes to the summits of Monte Patino, Monte Lieto and Monte Vettore. |
Walk: Up to 12 miles and 3,500ft of ascent
Date: Sat 27 June & 19 Sept 2009
To book this holiday click here
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